Can packing machine



April 1940- A. L. CHRISTIANSEN 8 CAN PACKING MACHINE I Filed March 12, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 it; a

April 2, 1940. A. L. CHRISTIANSEN ,88

CAN PACKING MACHINE File d March 12, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor. Andrew L Christ iansefz H z. ioz n 2y.

April 2, 1940.

A. L. CHRISTIANSEN 2. .882

CAN PACKING MACHINE Filed March 12, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inven for. Andrew L. Christians-en Ht'torhey.

Patented Apr. 2, 1940 UNiTED sT r s,

PATENT orsies I My present invention relates to'can packing machines and particularly to a machine-for packing products such as fish.

One of the principal objects of this invention is the provision of a novel machine'ofthis' class whereby cans may be easily, uickly, and tightly packed with the product to becanned.

A second principal object is the provision of a novel method of packing cans.

An important object also is the provision of a novel and simple structure into which the" product to be packed may be easily placed, automatically packed and then inserted into a can or container, and particularly into a can or container of smaller size. I

Another important object of this invention is the embodiment of such a structure in a continuous conveyor. I

Still another important object of this invention is the .provision'of such astru'cturewhich, when the product is packed in the can, may be opened up to remove the can, and particularly automatically when embodied in a continuous conveyor. I A further object of this invention is the provision of a novel and simple means of transferring the filled cans from a horizontal position on one conveyor to an upright position on H another conveyor.

3 With these and other objects in view, as will appear hereinafter, I have discovered a novel method of packing fish orv other'products in cans and have devised a; novel machine for carrying out my method, as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the charactersof reference thereon, which form a part of this application, in which: I

Fig. 1 is a plan view of my can packing machine in its preferred form of construction, one

side of the machine showingthe conveyors in dotted outline, and the other side of themachine showing portions broken away to facilitate the illustration;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of my machine showing portions broken away to-"facilitate the illustration, and showing other portions diagrammatically; Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional elevation taken at 3-3 of Fig. 1 showing the can feed means;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the dis charge end of one side of the machine,'showing portions broken away to facilitate the illustraa positely placed lugs of both chains.

tion,. and also showing several positions by dotted lines of the cans;

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation taken at 5-5 of Fig. 4-, and also showing by dotted lines several positions of the cans; i

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary s ctional elevation taken at 6-6 of Fig. 5; Q

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevationtaken at li of Fig. i; and,

Figs. 8, 9, and 10 are diagrammatic views m showing different structures for feeding the cans from one portion of the conveyor into the other portion for enclosing the productto be canned.

The machine, as shown, is preferably a double machine and is mounted on a frame I, with a 1.5 superstructure I near the discharge end. Only one side of the machine will be referred to, both sides'being duplicates, but both sides have .a unitary drive mechanism. v

At the head-and discharge ends of the frame s are shafts .H and I2 on each of. which are mounted pairs of chain sprockets l3 and i l around which extend chains l5, each of which has, at intervals, oppositely extending securing lugs 15. The two chains carry together a series of blocks l6, each blockbeing secured to theop-- The upperv blocks,- carried by the upper portion of the chains, are moved in a horizontal plane from the head to the discharge end, theseblocks riding pockets, are of a shape and-size to receive one type of a standard packing can, designated C.

Each block is positioned on the median line between adjacent cans or receptacles for the cans, that is, each block has, at the opposite 45 sides of its median line, two hollow portions Ili which form halves of the whole of adjacently positionedv receptacles. In line with such half receptacles or pockets. are half guides or can locating throughs l6 which. form with adjacent. similar portions or adjacent blocks, complete guides or can locating troughs in alignment with the aforementioned receptacles. The ends of the receptacle portions of the blocks, opposite the can locating portions have end walls or a heads 5. The end walls of adjacent receptacle portions provide substantially closed heads for the corresponding receptacle. When the blocks are supported on the guides IT and drawn. between the sprockets, adjacent blocks form closed receptacles and are open only at the ends opposite the head ends, as indicated by D, and at the top, as indicated by E, except as hereinafter set forth.

Above the discharge portion of the pocket or receptacle side of the former carrying conveyor F is a packing conveyor G. This conveyor consists of a plurality of other blocks in the form of caps or covers 21 carried by a single chain 22 extending around sprockets 23 and 24 carried on shafts 25 and 26 mounted at the front and back sides of the superstructure l At the back side of the covers or caps 2| at the lower portion of the conveyor G are spaced parallel rods 21 which are supported in such position, by brackets 28 on the frame i. The chain 22 passes longitudinally between the rods 2'! and the end portions of the cap or cover blocks 2! engage the underside of the rods and are thereby forced against the conveyor F, and particularly over and into the openings D at the top of the receptacles of the blocks 18. The forward and rear ends of the rods are curved upwardly to facilitate the engagement and separation of the two conveyors. At the upper portion of the conveyor G may be one or more take-up sprockets 29, only one being shown. This take-up sprocket is mounted on an adjustable bracket 36 supported from the superstructure.

Against the inner ends Ifi of the receptacle portions of the blocks I6 is a retaining member 4|, in the form of an angle, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 6, and which extends from the head end of the machine to substantially the head end of the conveyor G. Thus, the two ends of the receptacles are closed, which permits fish, meat, vegetables, or other products to be canned, to be readily taken by operators from long trays or bins 42, positioned at opposite sides and extending lengthwise of the front portion of the machine, and placed into the moving receptacles A through the longitudinal openings D at the top of the receptacles or pockets. These receptacles or pockets may be filled or heaped, as shown in Fig. 5. As the conveyor 2 is moved along, the shell or cover blocks are lowered and force or pack the contents or products into the receptacles A. The undersides of the cap or cover blocks 2| are concave and complete the shape of the can to be forced into the receptacle. The shape of the can, in this instance, is cylindrical. The upper edges of the receptacle forming blocks are bevelled as indicated by IE and the corresponding portion of the caps are correspondingly shaped, further to facilitate the forcing and fitting of the caps into the receptacle openings D.

Near the end of the retaining member 4i and beyond the inner end'of the receptacles A. is a vertical rack 5| for holding empty cans on their sides, that is, with their open ends directed towards the receptacles. This rack rises directly above the can locating and guiding portions B. The lower end of the rack merges gradually towards and into the path of the can conveyor portions B, the forward side ii! of the rack being slightly curved backwardly and the back side 5P forming the guide and retainer for the cans which have dropped from the rack into the 10- cating portions B.

As the cans are fed by the can conveyor portions, they pass beyond the end of the retainer 4| and are projected, with their open ends forward into the product filled receptacles A, by a suitable can forcing means, which, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, is a plate 5| inclined at an angle from. the outer ends of can locating and guiding portions B of the blocks !6 toward the corresponding ends of the receptacles A. Thus, as the cans are fed by the conveyor, they engage the inclined plate and are forced into the receptacles or product containers and enclose or receive the product formerly packed into the receptacle of the conveyor. The edges of the blocks forming the receptacles or pockets are charnfered to facilitate introduction of the cans into the pockets.-

As the conveyors reach their discharge ends, they separate, the conveyor G being raised gradually above, the conveyor F.

The receptacles A are greater than semi-cylinders and thus normally retain the cans forced thereinto. But as the conveyor F passes over the sprockets Hi, the blocks are separated, opening up the cylindrical receptacles and allowing the filled cans to drop from the retaining receptacles or pockets, as shown best in Fig. 5.

At and below the discharge ends of the conveyor F is a receiver in the form of a chute H. This chute receives the dropping cans C, which. when dropping, engage a ledge 'H at their open ends. This causes the cans to be tilted toward upright positions, as shown in Fig. '7. The lower ends of the chutes are reduced, causing the cans to drop in such upright positions onto a transverse conveyor 12 passing below the lower end of the chute.

In Fig. 8, I have shown a can feeding means which consists of a plurality of rollers 8| arranged on an angle to the direction of movement of the can conveyor. These rollers are carried on an angular support 82. As the cans are moved along in the direction of the arrow they engage. at their outer ends, successive rollers which gradually force the cans into the receptacles of the conveyors.

In Fig. 9, I have shown star wheels M, with two or more arms, which may rotate on vertical axes in such a manner that, as the cans are fed in the direction of the arrow, they are forced into the conveyor receptacles, a specific distance by each wheel 9|. These wheels are rotated in unison by belts or chains 92 and 93. The last wheel 9| in the series may be connected, by suitable means, with the shaft 26, thus synchronizing the feed wheels with the conveyors.

In Fig. 10. I have shown an angularly inclined can feed conveyor I 0| which is also synchronized with the conveyors. The feed conveyor carries lugs H12 which are adapted to engage the bottoms of consecutive cans for feeding them into the receptacles gradually as the cans are fed by the conveyors in the direction of the arrow.

The drive mechanism consists preferably of a motor HI, mounted on the superstructure i, and connected to a suitable gear mechanism H2. The shaft H2 of this gear mechanism rotates, by a chain H3, a sprocket H4 on the shaft 2 5. The shaft 26 has a gear H5 which meshes with a like gear H6 on the shaft l2.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, and certain modifications thereof, I do not wish to be limited to the same. but desire to include in the scope of my invention the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set forth'in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the class described, a re: ceptacle adapted to receive a product to be packed, said receptacle being open at one end, and means for forcing an open can, with its open end foremost, into the receptacle around the product therein.

2. In a machine of the class described, a re-.

ceptacle adapted to receive a product to be packed, said receptacle being open at one end, means for compressing the product into the receptacle,and means for forcing an open can, with its open end foremost, into the receptacle around the product therein.

3. Ina machine of the class described, a receptacle having an open end and its side partially open for receiving the product to be packed, means for compressing the product in the receptacle through the side opening, and means for forcing an open can, with its open end foremost, into the open end of the receptacle around the product therein.

4. In a machine of the class described, a receptacle consisting of separable members, said receptacle, when said members are placed together being open at one end of the separable members, and also partially open at one side for receiving therethrough the product to be packed, means for compressing the product in the receptacle through the side opening, and

'means for forcing an open'can, with its open end foremost, into the open end of the receptacle around the product therein, the members being separable to facilitate removal of the can.

5. In a machine of the class described, a continuous conveyor means having transverse pockets for receiving a product to be packed and having can locating means in alignment with the pockets, said pockets being open at the end adjacent the can locating means, and means for forcing cans from the can locating means into the open ends of the pockets as the conveyor means is advanced.

6. In a machine of the class described, a continuous conveyor means having transverse pockets for receiving a product to be packed and having can locating means in alignment with the pockets, said pockets being open at the end adjacent the can locating means and also at the side, means for closing the side openings, and means for forcing cans from the can locating means into the open ends of the pockets as the conveyor means is advanced.

7. In a machine of the class described, a con tinuous conveyor means having transverse pockets for receiving a product to be packed and having can locating means in alignment with the pockets, said pockets being open at the end adjacent the can locating means, and also open at the side for receiving therethrough the product to be packed, means synchronized with the conveyor for closing the side openings and packing the product into the pockets, and means for forcing cans from the can locating means into the open ends of the pockets as the conveyor means is advanced.

8. In a machine of the class described, a continuous conveyor means having transverse pockets for receiving a product to be packed and having can locating means in alignment with the pockets, said pockets being open at the end adjacent the can locating means and also at the side, means for closing the side openings, means for supporting a column of open end cans and provided with a discharge at its'lower end adjacent the can locating means, thelatter means being so constructed as to remove one can at a time from the column as the conveyor means is advanced and deposit it in the can locating means, and means for forcing cans from the can locating means into the open ends of the pockets as the conveyor means is advanced.

9. In a machine of the class described, a continuous conveyor means having transverse pockets for receiving a product to be packed and having can locating means in alignment with the pockets, said pockets being open at the end adjacent the can locating means, and a can shifting means positioned adjacent the can 10- cating means and inclined at an angle to the direction of movement of the conveyor and extending toward the open ends of the pockets, said inclined shifting means being capable of forcing cans from the locating means into the pockets as the conveyor is advanced.

10. In a machine of the class described, a continuous conveyor means having transverse pockets for receiving a product to be packed and having can locating means in alignment with the pockets,said pockets being open at the end adjacent the can locating means, and a can shifting means positioned adjacent the can locating means and comprising a plurality of parallel rollers with their axes perpendicular to theplane of the conveyor, the surfaces of the rollers adjacent the pockets being located substantially in a plane, inclined at an angle to the direction of movement of the conveyor and extending toward the open ends of the pockets, said inclined shifting means being capable of forcing cans from the locating means into the pockets. as the conveyor is advanced.

11. In a machine of the class described, a continuous conveyor means having transverse pockets for receiving, a product to be packed and having can locating means in alignment with the pockets, said pockets being open at the end adjacent the can locating means, and a can shifting means positioned adjacent the can locating means and comprising a plurality of star wheels having their axes parallel to each other and perpendicular to the plane of the conveyor, the portions of the star wheels adjacent the pockets being located substantially in a plane, inclined at an angle to the direction of movement of the conveyor and extending toward the open ends of the pockets, said inclined shifting means being synchronized With the conveyorand capable of forcing cans from the locating means into the pockets as the conveyor is advanced.

12. In a machine of the class described, a continuous conveyor means having transverse pockets for receiving a product to be packed and having can locating means inalignment with the pockets, said pockets being open at the end adjacent the can locating means, and a can shifting means positioned adjacent the can locating means and comprising a chain synchronized with said conveyor and inclined at an angle to the direction of movement of the conveyor and extending toward the open ends of the pockets, said inclined shifting means having lugs projecting from said chain and spaced from each other at a distance equal to the spacing of adjacent pockets and located in alignment with said pockets, said shifting means being capable of forcing cans from the locating means i into the pockets as the conveyor is advanced,

13. In a can packing machine of the class described, a continuous conveyor comprising a chain and receptacle members carried thereby and extending outwardly therefrom, adjacent members having hollow portions forming together receptacles open at one end, said receptacles adapted to receive the product to be packed, said conveyor having a can locating means in connection therewith and at the open end of and in alignment with the receptacles, and means for forcing an open can, with its open end foremost, into the receptacle around the product therein.

14. In a can packing machine of the class described, a continuous conveyor comprising a chain and receptacle members carried thereby and extending outwardly therefrom, adjacent members having hollow portions forming together receptacles open at one end, and another opening at the outer sides between adjacent members, said receptacles adapted to receive through the side openings the product to be packed, said conveyor having a can locating means in connection therewith and at the open end of and in alignment with the receptacles, and means for forcing an open can, with its open end foremost, with the receptacle around the product therein.

15. In a machine of the class described, a continuous conveyor comprising sprockets, a chain extending around the sprockets, and receptacle members carried thereby and extending outwardly therefrom, adjacent members having hollow portions forming together receptacles for carrying objects, said members being provided with walls for closing one end of the receptacles, said adjacent members, when passing between the sprockets, being substantially closed at the sides and one end, when passing around said sprockets, adapted to separate at their outer sides for opening the receptacles and allowing said objects to be discharged and to drop from said receptacles.

16. The herein described method of packing cans, consisting in confining the whole of the side of the product to be canned, then forcing an open can over the same.

17. The herein described method of packing cans, consisting in enclosing the whole of the side surface of the product to be canned, then forcing an open can, in the shape of the confined product, over the latter.

18. The herein described method of packing cans, consisting in enclosing the product to be canned, then compressing the enclosed product, and then forcing an open can over the confined compressed product.

19. In a machine of the class described, a receptacle wholly enclosed at its sides and one end and open at its opposite end, said receptacle adapted to receive a product to be packed, and

means for forcing an open can, with its open end foremost, into the receptacle around the product therein.

20. In a machine of the class described, a receptacle adapted to receive a product to be packed, said receptacle being open at one end, I

and a can locating means coaxial with said receptacle whereby an open end can may be guided into the receptacle around the product therein.

ANDREW L. CHRISTIANSEN. 

